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Lindell Beach, B.C.
Stillwood expands


During the past three years, Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre, formerly known as Columbia Bible Camp and Conference Centre, has experienced major changes. The camp, located about a mile south of Cultus Lake near Chilliwack, B.C., has served the B.C. Mennonite Brethren Conference and the larger community for more than 40 years.

A new name

The name change, which came into effect earlier this year, was prompted by several factors. In the first place, confusion with Columbia Bible College (which also sometimes functions as a conference centre) was becoming a serious problem. The two CBCs or Columbias were increasingly mistaken for one another. Second, the camp had added numerous other programs to its summer Bible camp for children and young people and had reached a point of offering programs, some sponsored jointly with other agencies, 12 months of the year. Third, in a multi-religious and multicultural society, including the word Bible in the camp name made it more difficult to reach various groups the camp was trying to reach. It should be emphasized, however, that while the name has changed, the program has not changed.

The word Stillwood, selected following extensive discussions with consultants, was chosen because it reflects stillness, peacefulness, the wooded setting and the singing of birds, in short, a place of connecting with the Creator. Part of Psalm 46:10 (“Be still and know that I am God.”) appears on the new camp letterhead and signs.

New buildings

Because of the generosity of hundreds of supporters, including more than 30 major donors (who contributed at least $10,000 each), Stillwood has completed an almost total replacement of the original buildings. Those which have not been replaced are either scheduled to be replaced or have undergone major reconstruction and upgrading.

The new duplex cottages

Columbia Bible Camp had 18 small, rather spartan cabins which served the camp well for more than a generation. These have been replaced with 20 cottages, each with its own bathroom, study area and small serving kitchen. Most of these cottages have bunks for nine people, with additional space upstairs. The 20 have been constructed in the form of 10 duplexes. Those donor families which have funded a cottage have the option of using it two weeks each year.

Volunteers built the new General Store in one day

The camp has also constructed a traditional general store and three lodges, two of which can each accommodate 24 people and one of which can accommodate 39. The three have large, well furnished meeting rooms. Thanks to one donor, the camp now has a fine picnic shelter, complete with kitchen, which can seat 60 or more people for a variety of summer and winter activities and provide food services for hundreds. Other donors have made possible the construction of a ropes course, an archery site and four tree houses, each of which can accommodate 12 sleepers in very spartan quarters. The two original lodges have been entirely rebuilt and modernized. The camp has also constructed its own sewage treatment plant, at a cost of about $240,000.

Dueck Lodge, which sleeps 39

The recently completed auxiliary gym, a fabric-covered structure measuring 60 feet by 100 feet, will allow the camp to schedule gym programming at two locations when the replacement for the original gym is completed. This will permit the camp to expand its programs in winter as well as in summer. The new main gym, designed to look like a red barn with a silo, has not yet been started, but a couple has agreed to underwrite the total cost; part of the funding is already in hand. This structure, with all of the associated improvements, will cost about $2,500,000.

The projected new gymnasium

At present, a new dining hall, which can seat upwards of 500 people, is about half completed. It is being constructed on the site of the original gym. Here, also, one couple is underwriting the total cost, which will exceed $1 million. The existing dining area and kitchen, situated in the lower floor of the original Maple Lodge, will be rebuilt as meeting rooms.

The new dining hall, now under construction

New land

Another major recent development is the acquisition of two adjacent farm properties, one of ten acres with a fine new house, and one of almost 30 acres with an older home and other buildings. The total camp area has thus been expanded to just under 100 acres. There were indications that one or both of these properties might be used for hog or chicken farming. Such a development would have created serious problems for the camp. Even though neither property was officially for sale, the camp managed to acquire both, although the 79-year-old previous owner of the larger parcel was given permission to live in his house and retain the use of part of his land as long as he wants to. A donor couple was found who provided funds to purchase both farms.

Expanded ministry

In recent years, the camp has greatly expanded its ministry. Including the summer camps, Stillwood now has about 30,000 overnight stays in one year, plus numerous daytime users. Many people are finding God, many are growing in their faith, and many are being renewed. The opportunities continue to expand.

The Camp Board members and the entire camp community are deeply grateful to supporters for the donation of cash and pledges, to date totalling over $6,200,000. This sum does not include the huge amounts which the camp has saved because material and professional services were either donated or contributed to the camp at reduced costs. In addition, the entire camp is deeply indebted to the many hundreds of volunteers who have contributed more than 11,000 person-days of labour since major site improvements and the extensive construction program began almost four years ago.

 – John H. Redekop, Development Officer

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Last modified October 6, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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